Immigrants and the English Language

I just heard a comedian on TV say, "Pity all those people who spend years learning English and then come to North America. They still don't understand us."

It's true. Many new immigrants have been taught a dated form of the British language, which doesn't always fit into our business world. In my experience, many immigrants have a better sense of progessive verbs. They can easily explain the differences between "I have received" and "I had received." However, North Americans don't really care. To keep things short, we just say "I received." There is nothing wrong with either phrasing. But it can be confusing.

I do pity any adult trying to learn English.